Marvin Pelo passes away

If you grew up attending Camp Mimanagish, or ever worked there as a director, counselor or staffer, there's a good chance you knew Marvin Pelo. He lived and breathed Camp Mimanagish and was a huge supporter of the place over the years.

Sadly, I recently became aware that Marvin had passed away Jan. 14.

I thought I'd post this obituary, which ran in the Carbon County News:

Marvin William Pelo was born Dec. 21, 1920 in Red Lodge to William and Bertha Cunningham Pelo. He died in Red Lodge, Jan. 14, 2008 at the Beartooth Hospital.

He lived his entire life in Montana. He attended Draper Community School for his elementary education and graduated from Carbon County High School in 1938. He worked on NYA for three years before going into the navy for a short time. He was discharged from the navy with a medical discharge and arrived home on Dec. 7, 1941. His discharge was official the next day which made him one of the first veterans of the Second World War.

He farmed with his dad and brother Ray on a farm west of Red Lodge, until his father was killed in the Smith mine disaster in 1943. His brother enlisted in the navy. He farmed for one more year until bleeding ulcers forced him to give up the farm. His mother and he sold out and moved to town. He worked for Olcott Implement and Carbon Implement in Bridger for 25 years, then Billings for eight years.

When he retired from Carbon Implement, he went to work for Al Bedo Shrine and then was hired back as parts man by Nash Brothers and finally Double E Implement.

He retired in 1987 and started serving the Red Lodge Senior Center as president in 1988.

He served the Red Lodge Congregational Church as Deacon Moderator and was on the merger committee to form the Red Lodge Community Church. He served eight years as lay leader and over 30 years as counselor at Camp Mimanagish.

He is a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge Golden Eagle at Bridger where he served three times as Worshipful Master.

He served on the Grand Lodge of Masons while Jack Rehberg was Grand Master. He is a member of both York Rite and Scottish Rite, having served as Head of all York Rite Bodies and was Most Grand Illustrious Master of the Grand Council of Montana in 1979.

He served as Dad Adviser of Carbon County Chapter Order of DeMolay for 21 years and state adviser for seven years and is an Honorary Legion of Honor. Also a member of Al Bedo Shrine.

He is a 50 year member of Eastern Star serving as Worthy Patron 15 times.

He served on the Beartooth Hospital Foundation for 20 years. He is a member of the Elks for 50 years.

At Bridger he served as Secretary of the Volunteer Fire Department for 17 years. He played Santa for over 60 years, especially at the Nursing home.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Raymond. He is survived by his brother Dale and wife, Renae of Orem, Utah, nine nieces, four nephews and over 50 grand nephews and nieces who all considered him their grand dad.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Red Lodge Community United Church of Christ. Burial will be in the Red Lodge Cemetery.